Daub: I'm in

We’re just going to give you this one straight from the press release and comment later. This from Nick Schinker, of the Daub campaign:

SCOTTSBLUFF, NEB. – Hal Daub today announced that he is a candidate for the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated in 2008 by current Sen. Chuck Hagel.

A lifelong Nebraskan and former U.S. Congressman, Omaha Mayor and Republican National Committeeman for the state, Daub made his announcement during an 8 a.m. (Mountain Daylight Time) visit to the Western Nebraska Regional Airport in Scottsbluff.

He will meet with the media during stops later today at the North Platte Regional Airport (11:35 a.m. CDT), Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island (1:55 p.m.), Lincoln Municipal Airport (4 p.m.) and Omaha, arriving at the Millard airport to address the media at 6 p.m.

He will continue his two-day swing through the state Tuesday with fly-in visits to the Beatrice Municipal Airport (8 a.m. news conference), a city where family members live and Daub spent summers in his youth; Hastings Municipal Airport (10:05 a.m.) Kearney Municipal Airport (12 p.m.), Columbus Municipal Airport (2:20 p.m.), Karl Stefan Memorial Airport in Norfolk (4:05 p.m.) and Martin Field in South Sioux City (6 p.m.).

With his wife, Mary, beside him, Daub said the couple learned many things during their statewide Listening and Learning Tour, which included listening sessions in 93 cities in all 93 Nebraska counties.

“People told us that it’s time to rise above partisan politics, and personal and political agendas,” Daub said. “They told us it’s time to fulfill the needs and carry out the instructions of the Nebraskans who elected them. They all said the same thing. We deserve better. The country deserves better . . . Washington needs to be fixed.

“Working together, we can change the course of this nation,” he said. “It starts with changing the course of the United States Senate. I am here to ask for the opportunity to serve as the agent of that change.”

Daub said he has the experience, the knowledge and the ability to help make government once again accountable to the people it serves.

“I pledge a positive, proactive campaign that is based on new ideas,” he said. “I will stir the pot and create a meaningful discussion about how I can personally work to solve problems and serve the people of Nebraska. I will continue to listen – and to learn.”

Daub said he would visit all 93 counties during the coming campaign – and again as U.S. Senator. “While the issues may change, I feel the responsibility of elected officials to stay in touch with the people who elected them should never change,” he said. “After my election, I pledge to return to each county in Nebraska at least once each year – more often if my schedule permits – and meet with my constituents.”

He is a partner in the law firm of Blackwell Sanders LLP, which has offices in Omaha and Lincoln, Kansas City and St. Louis, Mo.; and Washington, D.C. He served eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives (1981 to 1989) and more than six years as Omaha’s mayor (1995-2001). “During my four terms in Congress, as a member of the minority party, I authored scores of bills that remain in law today – tax and agriculture legislation that came from listening to the good ideas and concerns of my constituents.”

Daub said he intends to run a campaign that shows “the difference between false claims and genuine promises.”

“I will propose an ‘Agreement with Nebraskans’ that gives a clear understanding of my positions on the issues that are dividing Americans – and what I promise to do after I am elected to bring us back together,” he said. “And I will expect Nebraskans to hold me to this agreement.”

Daub grew up in Lincoln and Omaha and spent summers with his grandparents in Beatrice. He obtained his law degree from the University of Nebraska (1966) and served as a Platoon Leader, Captain and Company Commander in the U.S. Army Infantry (1966-68).

While in Congress, he drew upon his experiences as a youth and became a vocal advocate for agriculture, rural communities and older Americans. He served as Omaha’s Mayor during a key period of growth and planning, and has since served on numerous national committees and boards including as an advisory member of the Presidential Transition Team on Agricultural Policy (2000-01), keynote speaker for the White House Conference on Aging (2005) and chairman of the U.S. Social Security Advisory Board (2002-2006).

He has a long record of volunteer service with organizations including the Boy Scouts of America and the Salvation Army. Most recently, he served as chairman of the national board of Community Health Charities of America.

Daub is married to the former Mary Mernin Wurdeman of Omaha. She graduated from Duchesne College, taught in the Omaha Public Schools, co-owned and managed Wurdeman Real Estate Company, and has been active on numerous boards for charitable and civic causes, including Opera Omaha, Community Playhouse, Junior League, Joslyn Women’s Guild, Keep Omaha Beautiful, Symphony Guild, Freedom Foundation, Children’s Hospital, Arthritis Foundation, Junior Theater Board, Duchesne Alumni, Catholic Charities, Meyer Children’s Rehabilitation Institute, Western Heritage On Track board and Uta Halle Foundation.

To help gather information and opinions, Daub has created an informational Web site – www.HalDaub.com – and established a toll-free telephone number, 1-877-HAL-FACT (877-425-3228) where citizens may contact him and provide their thoughts and input.